Speaking the World

Speaking the World

Languages and Cultural Literacies

At AUP, we place a high value on the capacity to speak more than one language fluently, and to use second and third languages in research, travel, and internship situations.

A general education curriculum designed to “envision a world of interdependence” necessarily emphasizes the links between language and culture and between language learning and cultural discovery. As an international and multilingual university, a focus on languages is crucial—on English, the language of most coursework, and on French, the language of the country where we live.

English, the language of coursework

In English courses students acquire advanced linguistic skills and the proficiency in reading, argumentation, and editing necessary for effective academic writing. They study important works of world literature, philosophy, and criticism across a wide range of genres and time periods.

Eight credits earned in two consecutive courses:

EN1010 College Writing

Taught through thematically-linked works of literature from the Ancient world to the present day. Stresses expository writing, accurate expression, and logical organization of ideas in academic writing. Recent themes include: Childhood, Friendship from Aristotle to Derrida, Social Organization and Alienation, Monstrosity, and Music and Literature. This course satisfies only 4 credits of the University's English requirement.

A series of topic-centered courses refining the skills of academic essay writing, studying a wide range of ideas as expressed in diverse literary genres and periods. Introduces the analysis of literary texts and gives training in the writing of critical essays and research papers. Recent topics include: Utopia and Anti-Utopia, City as Metaphor, Portraits of Women, Culture Conflict, and Labyrinths.

French, the language where we live

Given our location in France, all AUP students need to attain a higher level of competency in French language, life, and culture than a typical college student studying French in the U.S. Your study of French will aid not only your studies—but help you adapt to life in Paris, too.

Demonstrated intermediate French language proficiency; French language courses through Elementary French Language and Culture:

FR1200 French And Culture II

This course is a second semester Elementary French course, a continuation of level FR 1010 with emphasis on acquiring basic level of proficiency in the language and understanding the culture of France and the Francophone world. This course will enable students to improve their comprehension skills through the use of authentic audio and video material and to acquire vocabulary to face situations in their real life in Paris. The four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) are reinforced and special emphasis is placed on pronunciation.In-class work will be supplemented by multimedia activities and real-life situations in the City of Paris.